Surname MacConkey - Meaning and Origin
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MacConkey: What does the surname MacConkey mean?
The last name MacConkey is derived from the Gaelic Irish Mac Connaigh, which translates to 'son of Connaigh'. This usually originates from a personal name, Connaich, which is derived from the Gaelic word for 'wise'. It was likely given to a person who displayed some sort of wisdom or intellect.
MacConkey is also a sept of the Scottish clan MacDonald. The name reached Ireland in the 1600s, when many people were being forced to flee their homes during the Ulster Plantations. Many of the MacConkey clan members would have eventually settled in Norther Ireland, where the last name is still in use today.
Most people with the last name MacConkey trace their roots to Ulster, though others have links to Scotland. It is possible that the Irish and Scottish MacConkeys are linked in some way, either due to historical migrations or family ties.
The MacConkey family has a strong sense of identity and pride in their ancestry. They also maintain links with other people of the same last name and pass down stories of their long history in Ireland and Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacConkey: Where does the name MacConkey come from?
The last name MacConkey is most commonly found in Northern Ireland. Records indicate that the MacConkey surname began as an Anglicized version of the Scots-Irish surname Mac Conmhaigh. This name is commonly found in the historic Ulster province of Ireland, especially in County Antrim and County Londonderry. MacConkey is also seen in Ulster-Scot emigrant communities in Scotland, England, and North America.
Today, an increased number of MacConkey families can be found in the United States and Canada, particularly in states and provinces that had higher rates of immigration from Northern Ireland such as Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Other countries around the world with a presence of MacConkey families include countries in the Caribbean, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
As of the 2000 census, MacConkey had a population of 743 in the United States. This number is likely a result of immigration from Northern Ireland but could be even larger due to the fact that a surname doesn’t necessarily reflect ancestry or heritage. Therefore, the MacConkey surname may still be further-reaching than indicated by the census numbers.
Variations of the surname MacConkey
MacConkey is a surname of Irish origin. It is generally associated with Ulster and Scottish clans. Variants, spellings and related surnames include MacConchy, MacCanchy, MacConeskey, MacCancey, MacCunckey, and MacCaukey.
The MacConkey surname has a lengthy and complex history that dates back to at least the 12th century. According to some historical records, the surname may have derived from Coinche, a Gaelic term referring to a river dweller or ferryman.
The MacConkey clan can trace its roots to Ulster, particularly the region of County Antrim, where many still live today. The name appears in the history of the infamous 1641 Rebellion in Ireland, where a William MacConkey of County Down, is mentioned as an insurgent. There is also an ancient crest of the family which carries an eagle’s head consigned as a memento of a rescue by the chief of Clann Donachy, or MacConkey, from certain danger.
The most famous bearer of the name is Edward MacConkey, the American soldier who won the Medal of Honor in World War II for leading an attack in which two thousand enemy soldiers were killed and several thousand more captured.
The MacConkey name has spread with emigration from Ireland and Scotland to England, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Today, the surname is still a common one in many countries and continues to be passed on from generation to generation.
Famous people with the name MacConkey
- Sam MacConkey: football player from the United States and member of the Los Angeles Rams who played in the mid-1920s.
- King MacConkey: American entertainment executive and film producer who worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Universal Pictures.
- Patrick MacConkey: Australian actor best known for his roles on The Flying Doctors and Neighbours.
- Alice MacConkey: English actress, singer and songwriter who had a successful career on both stage and screen.
- David MacConkey: American rapper, songwriter and producer who released albums like Lost in the Process and Pass the Flame.
- Peter MacConkey: British author, editor, and illustrator of many children's books.
- Robert MacConkey: American businessman who served as CEO of MacConkey and Associates.
- William MacConkey: American artist and illustrator remembered for his drawings of pin-up girls.
- Dr. Andrew MacConkey: Canadian professor and clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of psychological disorders.
- Thomas MacConkey: American outfielder and pitcher in Major League Baseball who made his debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1910.